changing bank accounts

[sammmo]

is it easy to change a bank account? for instance will the new bank take over all standing orders and direct debits etc.. i've had enough of santanser and would like to change banks.. any one know of a reliable hassle free bank?

[factor-fiction]

They all claim to arrange a hassle free changeover of direct debits and regular payments in (salary, etc).
It is quite painless but you have to keep an eye on your statements for the first month to make sure payments are going out, and you may need to run two accounts for a month or so.

[sammmo]

thanks factor30 I was thinking of changing to lloyds or nat west ..can't go to barclays because i've a seperate account wth them and i don't want to confuse stuff.. anyone any suggestions for a good hassle free bank?

[boxtops]

Nationwide will - you just give them a list of all your d/ds etc and they do it for you. However - do check with them now - it's been a while since I last enquired.

[spudqueen]

Nationwide is a Building Society, not a bank. I would always recommend to go with a clearing bank (Natwest, Lloyds, Barclays, HSBC), as all other banks (and building societies) have to do their banking through a clearing bank.

[ubasses]

Any bank you go to will arrange to transfer all your standing orders and direct debits over, but to do this they have to write to each individual Company, and that is where the problems can start. These Companies do not always respond to the letters and go on claiming from the old bank who 'bounce' them. The new Bank will keep chasing making every effort to sort it out on your behalf but occassionally they have to admit defeat and ask you to contact the Companies direct.

[brenda]

Co-op bank -- tries to be ethical as well.

[237SJ]

Regarding suggestions, I`ve been with Lloyds for years and I`ve never had a problem with them. They`ve never once made a mistake with my account. I had to phone them a couple of days ago and I didn`t have to press a million keys to get to speak to someone. I run my account via the internet as well and it`s really simple.

[tigwig]

I have several different bank accounts (sadly not much money in any lol) but I find that First Direct are by far the most efficient. I recently had a bit of a scamming issue and had to contact and change all my pass words etc and they were really good. Its an english call centre where they answer the phone immediately and actually know what you are talking about. All the others I was on hold for ages and passed from pillar to post, especially natwest. I think you get £100 bonus for switching to them too.